Automated elections 2010

We all know about that we might have automated elections here in the Philippines on May 2010. Computers will be used to count votes in precincts. 800 ballots will be scanned in each computer provided by Smartmatic International. If i'm not mistaken, the process that will be done is called optical scanning. It's the same kind of technology used by US and UK for their elections. After ballots are scanned, no more human intervention is needed. The results of the elections will available after three days. The results will be sent by the computers to us through satellites, SMS and calls. According to an article that I read in the Philippine daily inquirer, it's 100 percent accurate. If ever the system crashes, the ballots will still available for manual counting.

I am for this automated elections. Gone are the days where nuns have to protect ballot boxes and people have to wait for months for the election results. We are in the year 2009. Modern times call for modern ways. I can't say for sure that this advancement in technology will help prevent cheating in elections. But given the fact that no human intervention will be needed after all the votes have been scanned in the computer, is promising. Human intervention is just scary when it comes to counting the ballots. We live in a society where money is a god. Money can alter the results of the elections. That's why I'll trust a computer more. I think it's less susceptible to cheating. Unless, computer programmers and technicians are bribed to hack the system or something. I just hope that this automated elections will push through and that it will pave the way for a clean and honest election. If the operations are successful and that no cheating was done, we can set an example to other countries in Asia who are still stuck with manual elections.